Pivotable Acoustic Device with Camera-Based User Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices often suffer from suboptimal sound quality due to speakers being positioned in a way that directs sound away from the user, leading to significant sound loss and dispersion, and existing retractable speakers require manual adjustment or lack directional control.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a processor-controlled acoustic device that uses a camera to determine the location of the user's facial features and adjust the angle of the speaker or signal projection assembly to direct sound towards the user, with the ability to control intensity based on distance, thereby optimizing sound projection in both vertical and horizontal planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the speaker is positioned in a fixed location within the housing, then the device structure is simple and stable, but the sound direction is fixed and may not be aimed at the user, causing sound loss and dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker is mounted on a pivotal assembly that allows it to rotate between a first position (retracted into housing) and a second position (extended outward). This dynamic positioning enables the speaker to be adjusted to different orientations, including angles aimed directly at the user, thereby improving sound directionality while maintaining structural simplicity through a single rotational degree of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the speaker through pivotal rotation. The speaker can be positioned at various angles relative to the housing, allowing the sound projection direction to be adjusted. This parameter change enables the sound to be directed toward the user's location, improving audio quality without requiring complex multi-component positioning systems.
2Ease of operation
If retractable speakers are used to direct sound towards the user, then sound directionality is improved, but manual adjustment is required which affects user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a camera to detect the user's location and a processor to analyze the detected position. Based on this feedback, the processor automatically adjusts the speaker's angular position through the pivotal assembly to direct sound toward the user. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates manual adjustment requirements and improves user experience by automatically optimizing sound delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of the speaker position based on camera detection of the user's location. The processor automatically controls the pivotal assembly to orient the speaker toward the detected user position, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-service capability enhances user experience by automatically optimizing audio delivery without requiring user input or adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the speaker is positioned to project sound in a defined direction, then the sound projection is controlled, but the direction cannot be adjusted to match user location, causing sound dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker is mounted on a pivotal assembly that enables dynamic repositioning between retracted and extended positions, with the ability to rotate to various angles. This dynamic capability allows the sound projection direction to adapt to different user locations. The single rotational degree of freedom provides sufficient adaptability without requiring complex multi-component directional control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the speaker through pivotal rotation to adapt the sound projection direction to the user's location. The processor controls the pivotal assembly to adjust the speaker's angle based on camera-detected user position. This parameter adjustment provides versatile directional adaptation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, an electronic device may include a housing and a first acoustic device pivotally disposed in the housing. The first acoustic device may move between a first position within the housing and a second position outside the housing. The first acoustic device may direct an acoustic signal in a direction. Further, the electronic device may include a camera to capture an image of an area in front of the electronic device. Furthermore, the electronic device may include a processor operatively coupled to the camera and the first acoustic device. The processor may determine a location of a facial feature of an operator using the captured image. Further, the processor may control an angle of rotation of the first acoustic device relative to the housing based on the location of the facial feature to modify the direction of the acoustic signal.